Insulated perfluoropolyether alkyl alcohols

Abstract

Perfluoropolyether alkyl alcohol comprising a perfluoropolyether segment and one or more alcohol segments wherein the alcohol segment has a general formula, —CH 2 (C q H 2q )OH, wherein C q H 2q represents a divalent linear or branched alkyl radical where q is an integer from 1 to about 10, such that the hydroxy group is insulated from fluorine atoms, are disclosed. Also disclosed herein are processes to produce these perfluoropolyether alkyl alcohols by reaction of perfluoropolyether primary or secondary bromides or iodides either an alkene or alkenol followed by further reaction to produce the alcohol.

1 - 13 . (canceled)  
   
   
       14 . A process for the preparation of perfluoropolyether alkyl insulated alcohols comprising (a) contacting a perfluoropolyether primary or secondary bromide or iodide with an alkene to produce a perfluoropolyether alkyl bromide or iodide; and (b) hydrolyzing the product of step (a) by sequentially contacting the perfluoropolyether alkyl bromide or iodide with (1) oleum and (2) a sulfite, to produce a perfluoropolyether alkyl insulated alcohol.  
   
   
       15 . The process of  claim 14  wherein step (a) is performed at a temperature of from about 50° C. to about 300° C.  
   
   
       16 . The process of  claim 15  wherein step (a) is performed at a temperature of from about 150° C. to about 250° C.  
   
   
       17 . The process of  claim 16  wherein step (a) is performed at a temperature of about 200° C.  
   
   
       18 . The process of  claim 14  wherein the alkene is ethylene or propene.  
   
   
       19 . The process of  claim 14  wherein the sulfite is an aqueous solution of sodium sulfite.  
   
   
       20 - 27 . (canceled)